Cassius Newton, the son of former Cardiff City midfielder Eddie Newton, has died in Dubai. The 34-year-old and a friend were found dead after going for a hike in extreme desert heat on July 18.
Wales Online reported that Cassius Newton, from Poole, Dorset, and his 33-year-old friend Aran Martinson from Essex were living in Ras Al Khaimah. They set out on a recreational hike at Wadi Naqab around 7am, where temperatures exceeded 40°C. A search was launched after Cassius's wife in the UK raised the alarm. "His wife expressed concerns as she hadn’t heard from him, she being in the UK, and reported him missing," said Michelle Brown at the inquest.
What happened during the hike?
The two men were hiking a route described as not needing specialist equipment. Cassius Newton was discovered approximately three to four kilometres from their vehicle, lying on his back in a wholly mountainous region with rocks around him. Aran Martinson was found 350 metres away, lying on the left side of the road, also surrounded by rocks. Both were taken to a hospital in Ras Al Khaimah where their deaths were confirmed later that same day.
The provisional medical cause of death for both men was cardiac and respiratory arrest due to severe rising body temperature and heat stress. Separate inquests were opened in Chelmsford on a Thursday and adjourned to a later date, with proceedings likely to be documentary hearings.
Who is Eddie Newton?
Eddie Newton is a former professional footballer who became a fan favourite during a three-month loan spell at Cardiff City in the 1991/92 season. He scored four goals in 18 appearances for the Bluebirds, who narrowly missed out on a play-off spot that year. His impact was such that supporters carried him off the pitch after his final game and chanted 'we want Eddie back' as he returned to parent club Chelsea.
Newton made over 200 appearances for Chelsea and scored the second goal in their 2-0 victory against Middlesbrough in the 1997 FA Cup final. He also played for Birmingham City, Oxford United, and Barnet before retiring in 2001. He later returned to Chelsea as assistant to Roberto di Matteo, winning both the Champions League and FA Cup in 2012. Newton, now 54, had a brief stint as head coach of Turkish side Trabzonspor in 2020.
How is Cardiff City performing now?
The current Cardiff City squad, which fans can view on our squad page, sits 13th in the Championship with three points from three draws. They have scored five goals and conceded five, leaving them with a zero goal difference and six points behind early leaders Charlton. The team's next challenge is an away fixture against fourth-placed QPR on September 2, a match listed on our fixtures page.
The club is currently dealing with several absentees, including C. Chambers, W. Fish, and D. Lawlor, all listed on our injuries page. This news comes as the club prepares for a demanding period in the league, where every point will be important for their campaign ambitions. The tragic loss connected to a former popular player casts a sombre shadow as the current team focuses on its upcoming matches.
